Every inspector is different but I like to get
everyone on the same page at the very start of the inspection.

I am not a building inspector.  Despite the similar sound of our job titles I
do not inspect for code compliance. (although most codes address safety issues
that I will educate my clients on)  I do
not work for the county/city/local municipality.  Unlike most government workers I suffer
liability for my actions and recommendations.
I work for my clients expressly, I
only have their interests in mind and I make every effort to produce the
highest quality home inspection every time.

I will find stuff on this house. Every house has things that could be improved
and adjusted.  New homes are just as bad
and a lot of the time even worse than a home that has had the benefit of being
lived in.  I compare your prospective
home to a perfect home, and there is no such thing.

My job is to educate you on your how your new home works. You should attend as much of the
inspection as possible.  You will get
more information out of me if you are standing over my shoulder when I find
something worth noting.  We can quickly
talk about what is wrong, what most likely caused it, how you can fix it and
how you can prevent it in the future.
That kind of comprehensive discussion can be difficult to accomplish in
even the best inspection report.

Thanks for the pictures Melina.

What to expect when inspecting your Salem, Oregon Home

A fantastic local agent, my friend and web guru Melina w/ Tomson Burnham LLC had a great idea for a series titled: What to Expect when you’re Inspecting. Cute and clever and she said she would let me use it.

I figured I would start from the beginning of the home inspection process and go through it step by step.

Get it scheduled

So first things first: you just received notice of an accepted offer and you have a certain amount of time to get all of the applicable inspections and make negotiations. If you are working with a good agent they will give you some names of home inspectors that they know do a good job. Check these guys/ladies out. Check their website, read their blog, and give them a call. Learn about their experiences and what makes them better than the other inspectors. Talk to them about your new home. Find out how they communicate. I wish I would have done this when I bought my first home. The guy I hired to do my home inspection gave me a lot of grumbles and, what I now call the “home inspector shrugs.” A home inspection is not like a loan. With a loan, the numbers are what you need to focus on. Everyone plays with the same numbers. A home inspection is a very personal thing and for the same number (price) home inspections can range from a gobbledy gook mess of check boxes and confusion to a clear concise description of the repair and maintenance issues with your new home and can actually be future user’s manual. Beside the report, how is the inspector at educating you. If the inspector grunts, shrugs a lot but you saved $50….maybe that isn’t the best place to save a couple bucks.

Once you have found your favorite inspector and you have confirmation on your deal you should get on the internet and book yourself an inspection. Most of the time buyers negotiate a 10 business day window however if you find yourself dealing with the bank you might only get 5 calendar days to get your inspections. If you are hoping for a really great inspector during the summer months and you only have 5 days…….good luck. 10 business days gives you two calendar weeks and should be enough to get your all of your inspections done but you need to start immediately if not before your offer is accepted. I have been at least a calendar week out since April and I have had to do my share of referrals to other good, but not as good, home inspectors in the Salem Oregon area.

So you need to make a choice, really good in-demand inspector or mister inspector guy that can fit me in tomorrow. It is up to you and who knows, that short notice guy might just do a good job for you.